With donations ranging in size from students’ tooth fairy money to a $1 million gift from a former pupil’s grandparents, St. Paul Catholic School leaders have raised more than 75% of the funds needed to replace their aging gymnasium.
The small private school in north Eugene started its capital campaign in 2018, initially hoping to raise about $6.7 million. That amount grew to $9.6 million after the pandemic.
The school hopes to break ground in 2026 on a multipurpose activity center if it secures the amount required to receive a bridge loan from the Archdiocese of Portland. The building will house a middle school regulation-sized basketball court, bleachers and a stage that will also convert to a music room.
A need for more space
About 280 students, from preschool to eighth grade, attend St. Paul. To remain a place of high quality education, however, the school is in need of an infrastructure update, principal Christine Penwell said…